National Headache Working Group

From the 1st April 2013, twelve Strategic Clinical Networks (SCNs) were introduced to the new NHS structures for England in April 2013. As part of the four new networks, the SCNs were tasked to improve services for people with neurological conditions.

In April 2014, it was agreed nationally that SCNs would initially focus on three work streams, including headache.

A national headache working group was established with the following objectives:

To identify the current headache pathways

To share best practice

To develop and agree a common integrated care pathways adaptable for local service provision

Across Thames Valley the total hospital admissions and costs for headache have increased over the past four years. In 2012/13 total costs for those with a primary diagnosis of headache across the SCN area were £2,016,691 and for those with a secondary diagnosis were £5,008.805. The total cost burden to the Thames Valley SCN area was just over £7 million.

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